Ingrown toenails are a common problem when you wear tight shoes or don’t cut your nails correctly. It usually starts with pain in the toe and can even make walking difficult, but if left untreated, it can grow into the nail bed and cause severe problems like an infection or severe damage to your toe. If you do notice signs of an ingrown toenail, it is best to see a doctor specializing in ingrown toenails in Naperville as soon as possible and avoid wearing tight shoes or other things that cause this condition.
Signs and Symptoms
One of the first signs will be a pain in your toe, which can worsen when you take a step. You may also notice a change in color at the tip of your toenail, and it may start to swell. If the ingrown toenail is left untreated, it will grow toward the nail bed, causing redness, swelling, and making it much harder to walk. You should also be on the lookout for signs of infection like fever, swelling, or chills because this can happen if left untreated for too long.
Causes and Prevention
Ingrown toenails are often the result of improper nail cutting. If you don’t cut your nails straight across or cut into the corners of your toe, then an ingrown toenail is more likely. You may also see this condition happen in people who like wearing tight shoes like women’s heels because they can create pressure on the nail, which causes it to grow into the flesh.
One of the best things you can do to prevent getting an ingrown toenail is by filing down your nails and making sure they aren’t too short. If you wear tight shoes, make sure the toenails don’t rub against them because that can cause an ingrown toenail. If you only use a file on the sides of your toenails, you’ll avoid cutting into the skin and making the situation worse.
Treatment and Home Remedies
The treatment for this condition involves cutting the skin at the base of your nail to grow out instead of toward the nail bed. If there is a lot of swelling, it may be necessary to drain any fluid built up. You may need to take antibiotics if your ingrown toenail becomes infected, but you can also try taking Aleve or Advil for pain. If this does not work, you should see a doctor specializing in ingrown toenails immediately because they could be infected and cause more problems.
It is possible to treat an ingrown toenail at home by soaking your toe in warm salt water for twenty minutes a day. You should also apply antibiotic ointment and make sure you trim your nails before putting on shoes or applying pressure that may cause the condition to worsen. If you are experiencing pain, then you should use acetaminophen.
To summarize, ingrown toenails mainly come about when you wear tight shoes or don’t cut your nails correctly. It may cause pain or change the color at the tip of your toenail. You can take pain medication to relieve the pain but make sure you see a doctor for treatment.